Making life better for patients and nurses

Who we are

Soothing Scents is a different kind of medical product company, dedicated to building a science-informed bridge between conventional and alternative medicine through evidence-based essential oil solutions, delivery innovation, and nursing education.

Our mission originated from a question about a problem we were looking to solve: How can patient suffering be effectively relieved without using medication?

This led to more questions: What would it take to bridge the gap between complementary and conventional medicine? What would a company that does this look like? And how could we rethink nursing interventions to address the current issues facing patients, nurses and facilities?

So, through extensive scientific research and discussions with hundreds of medical professionals, we created a range of drug-free, essential oil-based based products designed specifically to combat perioperative nausea and anxiety, provided in innovative delivery systems that allows both nurses and patients to manage these symptoms immediately, anytime and anywhere.

Our origins are 100% medical, our ingredients 100% natural, and our mission is to create innovative solutions that enhance the recovery of patients and the quality of care provided by nurses across the country.

Our Story

The Soothing Scents story goes all the way back to 2004, when nurse anesthetist Wendy Nichols began blending essential oils in her kitchen as an alternative way to help her patients deal with nausea after surgery.

Nichols used her decades-long background in medicine to find a solution that was medically safe and scientifically sound.

What began as a homemade remedy became a standard hospital supply, and finally, a thriving business, which Nichols co-founded with her brother and CEO, Roy Nichols.

Today, our product QueaseEASE is used in over 1,500 hospitals, and our ANCC-accredited training program in the use of therapeutic inhaled essential oils for the health care setting has helped nurses around the country serve their patients better.

“I had surgery, and when I woke up, a QueaseEASE was lying on my pillow next to me. It was so comforting. Thank you, I loved it!”

Laura Moeller
April 3, 2018

“This little treasure is a total game-changer and a must-have for any mama-to-be experiencing morning sickness! I wish I knew about it months ago.”

What we do

We develop design-savvy, evidence-based nursing products to manage patient nausea and anxiety, using drug-free methods specifically designed with the safety features required of the health care environment.

Using evidence-based science and over 30 years of clinical medical experience, we bring it all together in products designed to enhance patient recovery. Soothing Scents’ products provide patients a way to safely and effectively manage their own symptoms, taking the stress out of recovery, and improving satisfaction with their care. We also assist nurses through training programs, special offers, and ways to manage their own well-being.

How it works

Essential oil vapor is simply an evolution of the use of isopropyl alcohol to relieve nausea: when inhaled both work quickly by interrupting the nausea feedback loop in the central nervous system.

Essential oils high in natural alcohols, such as Peppermint and Lavender, possess profound additional benefits. Unlike isopropyl alcohol, they have a pleasant smell and contain powerful anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and anxiolytic components, which work directly on the stomach to allow it to relax and return to normal function.

Finally, the process of inhalation means that these molecules travel rapidly through the nose – directly to the brain – which is why inhaling essential oil vapor works faster than taking a pill.

Each inhaler is formulated with a blend of oils combined to target specific concerns based on their individual properties, which you can learn more about on our essential oils page.

Our Mission + Values

Our mission is to develop safe and effective nursing interventions that provide innovative solutions for the requirements of the modern medical environment.

Who we do it for

Soothing Scents is for people who don’t necessarily live an alternative lifestyle, but are seeking more natural ways to help with their well-being. They are enlightened, forward-thinking and adventurous people who join us at the intersection of pragmatic science and nature’s goodness. They want to be smart about what they put in their bodies, whether they are traveling, expecting, or recovering.

Unwavering dedication to evolving our company and our products, and an openness to new ideas and new technology.

Our company was founded on deep compassion for suffering patients and the medical professionals that care for them; it’s the reason we’re here today. We’re committed to treating every customer with individual care and kindness.

Working with integrity and transparency. No frills, no smoke and mirrors…no exceptions.

Making sure that everything we create not only meets, but exceeds safety standards and is engineered with the precision required by the health care environment.

Wendy Nichols

Director of Creative Development

Wendy began her nursing career in a large trauma ICU, then became a flight nurse with their aeromedical program before going on to complete her nurse anesthesia training in 1989. While working as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at a rural hospital in Maine, Wendy developed QueaseEASE for her nauseated patients. She continues to work in operating theaters while heading up creative development for Soothing Scents, Inc. An avid traveler, she splits her time between Maine, Malta and a tiny town in South Africa called Stanford.

Roy Nichols

President and CEO

Roy brings his extensive entrepreneurial and manufacturing background to the management and development of Soothing Scents. He has a tendency to seek out challenges, so creating a company such as Soothing Scents has been a perfect match for him. “My favorite aspect of building Soothing Scents is the fact that so many people still believe that essential oil therapy will never be taken seriously by the medical community. I’m so fortunate that I get the opportunity to prove them wrong every day!”

Kurt Waid

Operations Manager

Kurt has been with Soothing Scents for 6 years, heading up sales and handling manufacturing, logistics, trade show coordination, and customer service.

A University of Georgia alum (he majored in advertising and criminal justice, and minored in baseball), Kurt is happily married to Brandi and spends as much time as possible with his kids, Easton and Eden.

Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Stephanie is a registered nurse with over 20 years experience in the hospital setting, specializing in pain management and integrative approaches to nursing care.

Stephanie is passionate about sharing the benefits of natural modalities, and has taught hundreds of nurses and physicians how to integrate the effective benefits of essential oils into their practice.

She is married to her husband of 30 years, Kevin, has three children, and two beautiful granddaughters.

Wendy began her nursing career in a large trauma ICU, then became a flight nurse with their aeromedical program before going on to complete her nurse anesthesia training in 1989. While working as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at a rural hospital in Maine, Wendy developed QueaseEASE for her nauseated patients. She continues to work in operating theaters while heading up creative development for Soothing Scents, Inc. An avid traveler, she splits her time between Maine, Malta and a tiny town in South Africa called Stanford.

+ She loves horses.
+ If she isn’t at the barn, Wendy is probably in an airport, heading off on an adventure.
+ Favorite saying: “Fortune favors the brave”.
+ Favorite cold weather thing: snowboarding.
+ Favorite warm weather thing: it’s a tie between surfing and relaxing on a boat.

Roy brings his extensive entrepreneurial and manufacturing background to the management and development of Soothing Scents. He has a tendency to seek out challenges, so creating a company such as Soothing Scents has been a perfect match for him. “My favorite aspect of building Soothing Scents is the fact that so many people still believe that essential oil therapy will never be taken seriously by the medical community. I’m so fortunate that I get the opportunity to prove them wrong every day!”

+ Roy loves to travel, but his idea of camping is more like a hotel without room service.

+ Sadly he isn’t a fan of skiing after his dear sister left him broken and crushed against a tree when she tricked him into a double black diamond run on his first ski trip…ever.

+ His favorite saying is “youth is wasted on the young” (“I pondered it at 21, understand it perfectly at 50”)

Kurt has been with Soothing Scents for 6 years, heading up sales and handling manufacturing, logistics, trade show coordination, and customer service.

A University of Georgia alum (he majored in advertising and criminal justice, and minored in baseball), Kurt is happily married to Brandi and spends as much time as possible with his kids, Easton and Eden.

Born and raised in the Central Valley of California, Stephanie is a registered nurse with over 20 years experience in the hospital setting, specializing in pain management and integrative approaches to nursing care.

Stephanie is passionate about sharing the benefits of natural modalities, and has taught hundreds of nurses and physicians how to integrate the effective benefits of essential oils into their practice.

She is married to her husband of 30 years, Kevin, has three children, and two beautiful granddaughters.